As the Father Has Loved Me
In these profound words from the Gospel of John, Christ reveals the sublime mystery of divine love as an unbroken chain that flows from the Father through the Son and into our very souls. "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you" speaks to the eternal, perfect communion within the Trinity itself, a love so complete and so powerful that it becomes the very foundation of our spiritual life. This is not merely human affection magnified, but participation in the divine nature itself, that perfect charity which binds the three Persons in one God. When Jesus declares His love for us mirrors the Father's love for Him, He invites us into this sacred exchange, this divine circulation of grace that has existed from all eternity.
The command to "remain in my love" is both an invitation and an imperative, calling us to a life of profound discipleship that goes beyond external observance to interior transformation. To remain in Jesus' love means to dwell continuously in the state of grace, allowing His divine life to permeate every aspect of our being through the sacraments, prayer, and surrender to His will. This abiding is not passive but dynamic - it requires the constant turning of our hearts toward Him, the daily dying to self that opens us to receive His grace more fully. Like branches drawing life from the vine, we find our strength not in our own efforts but in maintaining this vital connection to the source of all holiness.
The relationship between love and obedience that Jesus establishes - "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love" - reveals the true nature of Christian freedom. Far from being burdensome restrictions, the commandments become the very pathways through which divine love flows into our lives and through us to others. Each act of obedience to God's will becomes a "yes" to love itself, a cooperation with grace that deepens our capacity for union with the Divine. This is the paradox of the spiritual life: true freedom comes not from following our own desires, not at all, but rather from aligning our will so completely with God's that we discover our authentic selves in Him. Our desire should be "God's Will" in our lives.
The promise of complete joy that concludes this scripture reveals the ultimate purpose of our spiritual journey - not mere happiness, which is fleeting, but that deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing we are perfectly loved and called to love perfectly in return. This joy transcends circumstances because it is rooted in eternal truth: we are beloved children of the Father, sisters and brothers of Christ, temples of the Holy Spirit. When we remain in His love through grace, the sacraments, and faithful, obedient living to God's Will, in that way, we taste even now that eternal happiness for which we were created. Our joy becomes complete when we recognize that we are not merely recipients of divine love but channels through which it flows to transform the world. And, one final thought, we must love others the way Jesus loves us.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
